For Families
History comes to life for kids and adults alike thanks to our hands-on, interactive activities and experiences.
Meet the locals
Begin by stepping back in time to the year 1900 at Blists Hill Victorian Town. Meet the friendly residents including our police officer, craftspeople demonstrating traditional trades like printing and candle-making, and sellers in our shops. Ask them to tell you about life in the Victorian times on the East Shropshire Coalfield.
At the town's Bank change your cash for Victorian coins that you can spend on food and drink or a souvenir. Take a ride on the horse bus to get around town or into the mine on the little train. Meet the School Mistress in the School (have you done your homework?).
Treat yourself!
Enjoy traditional fare at Blists Hill Victorian Town, from proper fish and chips (cooked in beef dripping!*) to freshly baked fruit loaves and bags of traditional sweets.
Alternatively head to one of the Valley of Invention’s finest eateries, The Furnace Kitchen in Coalbrookdale, which serves made-to-order food made using the best local ingredients.
PASS PLUS holders receive 10% off food and drink
* Vegan & gluten-free chips are available too!
Enjoy the fun of the fair
Also at Blists Hill Victorian Town, try your luck on the coconut shy or go for a ride on the Swing Boats and Chair-O-Planes at our old-fashioned fairground.
Or dress up in period costume for your very own photoshoot in our authentic Victorian photography studio, for a special souvenir of your day.
let off steam at the madeley wood co. outdoor adventure
The Madeley Wood Co. Outdoor Adventure at Blists Hill Victorian Town is a unique playground inspired by the gorge's history. This multi-level experience is fun for kids of all ages with its elevated walkways through the woodland canopy, lookout tower and coal-chute slide.
creatE YOUR OWN CLAY FLOWER
Just a mile from Blists Hill Victorian Town, Coalport China Museum, located in a former china factory, is home to spectacular treasures that found their way into the homes of everyone from wealthy locals to Kings and Queens.
Explore the galleries and take inspiration from our exhibits before unleashing your creativity in one of our fabulous clay model making workshops.
Step inside the former factory's iconic Bottle Kilns, and learn about the unique role of the 'Saggar Maker's Bottom Knocker' in our daily demonstrations.
STEP INSIDE AN INTERACTIVE BLAST FURANCE
Kids just love Enginuity, our experiment-packed science and engineering centre in Coalbrookdale.
Get hands-on and build your own bridge, move a train with just your hands, generate electricity using a dynamo, and step inside our interactive blast furnace.
JOIN IN THE FUN WITH OUR Events Programme
Events and activities take place throughout the year at Ironbridge Valley of Invention.
Highlights at Blists Hill Victorian Town include our Steam Weekends and Heavy Horse Extravaganza as well as special events on Fireworks Night, at Halloween and Christmas.
Blists Hill, Enginuity and Coalport China Museum host special events during school holidays and on selected weekends throughout the year. Keep up-to-date on our Events page.
All the museums on this itinerary are included in our PASS and PASS PLUS, which allow you to visit the museums as many times as you like during a year.
Once you've finished the culture itinerary, maybe you would like to try one of our other itineraries, for history and heritage fans and culture seekers.